Eye protection device



y 22, 1952 E. M. SPLAINE 2,603,785

' EYE PROTECTION DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1946 2 smE'rs-slm 1 4 1? 3 i mveuroiz EDWAQD M- SPLA\NE' ATTORNZ y- 1952 E. M. SPLAINE v EYE PROTECTION DEVICE 2 slams-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1946' INVENTOIZ EDWARD M. SPLAINE.

ATTORNEY Patented July 22, 1952 2,603,785 EYE PROTECTION DEVICE Edward M. Splaine," Southbridge, Mass., assignor to American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass., a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application December 21, 1946, Serial No. 717,642

;-a-ndso controlled as to shape as to cause said lens portions to curve in the direction of the I curvature of the face withthe .radius of curvature of said lens portions and therelated thick- .ness of the lens medium of said portions being so controlled gas to avoid the introduction of. an

excessive 'amountof .focal error, that'is, to main- .tain the focal error which might be present when viewing objects-through the lenses within negli gible or tolerable limits.

Another importantobject of the invention is device having two major cup portions pivotally connected with each other and adjustable to lit the, general facial characteristics of different individuals.

Another object is to provide an eye protection device: :of the above character formed of relatively light weight non-metallic material having twomajor cup portions formed with face contactingiedg'e-portions shaped to the general contour 'ofthe'face and having forwardly extending integrally related wall portions terminating inforwardly disposed lens receiving grooves having two'major lens members, shaped substantially to the contour shape of the cup portions seated in thelens receiving grooves and having vertically disposed i-ia'sal edge portions arcuately grooved a d fitted in relatively intimate relation with the pivot means joinin'g the cup portions, with said nasal edges being spaced sufiiciently to permit a controlled extent of pivotal movement with said 'arcuatelyL-grooved edges retaining their intimate relation withthe .pivot means and with the inner face contacting edgeshaving integra1 outwardly flared portions. v

I Another. object is to provide an eye Protection devic'eo'f the above nature having a nose bearing or guard member. carried. by the pivotal means "and'havi'ng its upper and lower forwardly extending walls provided with a plurality of ventilation I perforations.

Another object is to provide an eyeprotection device of the above character with two majoreye cup portions having, superimposed flared lip portions on the nasal sides thereof with vertically .disposed' connection means extending through said aligned perforations and embodying means for 'frictionally retaining said eye cup portions in pivotal relation with each other, said means being capable of being loosened an amount sufli- Claims. (01. 2-14) cient to enable the insertion or removal of the lenses from said eye cup portions. I

Another object is to provide an eye protection device of theabove character having two separate pivotally connected eye cup portions so formed and related with each other as to in effect produce. a single aperture type protection device a. affording free ventilation transversely ofthenose.

' to providev a single aperture type eye protection Another object is to provide an eye protection device ofthe'above character whose eye cup portions are. adjustableto compensate, .for different widths of heads or faces and which will assume-a comfortable fit with the face.

Another object is to provide an eye protection device of the above character, which may be worn over prescriptive mountings .and lenses and which will afiord protection means. for saidmountings and lenses as well as. for the eyes of the individual.

Another object is to provide an eye protection device of the above character with a face contacting edge and nose bearing portion shaped to assume a comfortable fit with the face and to insure the individual against facial injury should the said device be subjected to sudden impact, particularly force exerted-in a downward direction.

Another object is to provide an eye protection device of the above character which is simple in construction; inexpensive to manufacture and which is light in weight and comfortable in ,use and which will afiord maximum protection. 1 Other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement of parts, and. methods shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the exact details of construction, arrangement of parts and methods shown and described as the preferred form only is given by way of illustration. 7

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of said device;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of said device;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the .said device taken as on line 44 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentar rear perspective-view of the nasal or central portion of the device showing parts thereof in section; v

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken as on line 6-5 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the nasal edges of the lenses showing their the indvidual.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the pivotal clamp arrangement; and

Fig. 9 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary sectiona] view taken as on line 99 of Fig. land. looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Single aperture goggles are not new in the art.

will fit the general facial characteristics of most individuals.

The'main eye cup members are formed of non- V metallic material, preferably transparent, plastic There have been several different types of goggles of this nature introduced to the trade but in all known instances in the pastfisuch goggles embodied a single shield type lens'and a single unitary cup type frame support for the lens which was of a relatively rigid non-adjustable nature requiringgoggles to be formed to yarious sizes with a view to fitting the general facial characteristics of different individuals, that is, individuals having 'a relatively wide full face to individuals having a relatively narrow face.

. With eye protection devices of this prior art type, the particular fit of the goggle had to be accepted and no adjustmentswere possible and in most instances resulted in a poor and uncomfortable fit withthe face. I v

Single aperture type goggles of the character described have a decided advantage in thatthey the light in weight, resistant to impact and afford free ventilation transversely of the eyes and throughout the entire area of the interior of the eye cup or lens framewhile affording a maximum field of vision. The present invention retains all of the advantages of the prior art devices of this nature while providing a single commercial structure which may be adjusted to meet the lens so as to avoid the introduction of intolerable focal errors. 7

Another difficulty overcome is that of having to form the goggle to various differentsizes in order to fit the general facial characteristics of different individuals. This has been accompli'shed by forming the single aperture type de vice embodying the invention in two major sections pivotally connected centrally thereof so as material such as cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, methyl methacrylate or other known artificial resins and in addition to having the to permit the temporal sides of the two sections 7 to be moved toward and away from each other to meet the facial requirements of different individuals. This also enables the goggles to be fitted over corrective spectacles when worn by The face contacting edge is provided with an outwardly rolled portion to afford a comfortable engagement with the face and the device is further provided with a large area nose rest for aiding in avoiding injury to the nose of the'individual should the device be subjected to suddent impact, particularly in a downward direction. I v, I

-While overcoming the above major difficulties With a device of this nature, the said device is extremely light in weight, inexpensive to manu-.

facture as well as providing a comfortable fit with maximum ventilation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the device embodying the invention comprises a pair of cup members ID each having a face engaging edge portion I I formed with an integral outwardly curling lip I2 for engaging the face integral face contacting edge portion II each have a forward integrally related grooved portion I3 adapted to receive the contour edge of the respectivelenses I4. I i 1 1 The eye cup members have integrally-related wall portions extending throughout the tops; sides and bottoms thereof with the nasal'sides of said upper wall portions having overlapping integral tongues I5 and I6 and the nasal sidesof the lower wall portions having overlapping integral tongues I1 and I8, see'Figs. 1, 2, and 6. The tongue I5 extends outwardly substantially in the plane of the surface of the upper wall portion of its cup member while the tongue I6 is deflected inwardly to form an offset shouldered portion I9 against which the edge 20 of the tongue I5 is'adapte'd'to limit the inward pivotal movement of the cup members Ill relative to each other. The "said tongues I5; I6, I"! and I8 are respectively provided with aligned openings" through which'a pivot pin 2I, see Fig. 6, is adapted to extend. The pivot pin 2| has a reduced portion z-z-extending through the openings in the tongues I5 and I6 and has a lower reduced portion 23 extending through the openings in the tongues I1 and I8 and through an opening in an integrally formed lip 24 carried by a nose rest or bearing member 25. The reduced projection 23 simultaneously extends through spaced washers 26 and 21, one engaging the upper surface of the tongue I1 and the other engaging the upper surface of the lip 24 and the exposed end of the reduced portion 23 is headed over as illustrated at-28 to secure the parts in pivotal position on thereduced portion 23, that is, between the enlarged head 28 and'the shouldered portion 29 of the pin'2I. The reduced projection 22 extendsthrough'a washer 30 overlying the undersurface of the tongue I-G anda'washer 3| overlying the upper surface of the tongue I 5 and is of a length slightly less than the combined thickness of the superimposed tongues and washers. Thi affords means whereby a'suitable nut 32 threadedly connected to a further reduced threaded extension 33 carried by the reduced portion 22 may be adjusted into bindring clamping relation with the washer 3| with the washer 30 engaging the upper shouldered end. 34 of the pivot pin 2| and thereby binding the tongues I5 and I6 between said nut andshouldered end 34. This is best shown in Fig. 8.. The nut 32 is provided with a central bore 35 of a diameter greater than the diameter of the thread.- ed opening therein and into which afurther reduced end 36 carried by the threaded portion. 33 extends. This reduced portion 36 is provided with an enlarged head 31 and is of a length'suillcient to permit the nut 32 to be backed off relative to the threaded portion 33 an amount sufficient to permit the upper and lower walls of the nasal sides of the eye cups to open in order to permit the insertion or removal of the lenses I4.

It is particularly pointed out that the Width of the upper wall portions of the eye cups is greater than the width of the lower wall portions, par- .ticularly throughout the intermediate portion of the device whereby the lenses will tilt outwardly at: the top wand: v be inclined inwardly toward the bottom :01 thezdevice'. -;.The edges $38 01, the :lower walls: oflthei cup portions,- while having an outwardly flered lip portion,;are carefzully -.controlled asv tOnShaIJlewSQ as 1' to, fit the general contour of the cheeks-tor [cheek bones of; most individuals. outerwall portions 39 of the eyecups "are of a much greater-.width-than the lower. nasal portions: of the-cups 50535 to control the planes-of the-lenses with respeet to straight-ahead vision, that is, to keepgtheln withinra controlledlirn-it as torthe angleof the lenses relative to the lines of straightahead vision. I flhe nasalsides-otthe lower wall portions; as shown best Figs. .4 and 5, .are.rec essed asuillus- .tratedatv 40. to provide clearance for. a limited pivotal {movement-of the .nose rest or. bearing member '25. It is-particularly pointed outthat 551g. 4.;shows the. innermost adjusted-portionof the eyecupsrelative to eachother. The nose rest or. bearing member is pneferablys-formed-of 'non metallic material simulating the material of the cunportions and lenses. I

The-lenses are so designed that, when the eye cup portions l0 are adjustedto-their innermost position relative to each other about the pivot pindh theywill describe a substantially conv thepreferable comhmationibut, for. applicants-s tinuousare, see Fig. 4; The axis of: the; pivot V pin- 2 I. :lie's substantially in the surfiacesofthe-lenses. -l'=n.:desig=ning the device in general, particularly the .lenses; great' care isexercised that the lenses will affords-adequate: protection Ifor general use while affording maximum held of vision and while avoiding the introduction of Ioc'al error of. an amount which might bedetrimental. :to the visionof'the wearer; 1

TOE obtain the-protectionadesired, it iisinecessary that the lenses beof sufficient thickness, to obtain "the maximum field of vision desired, the contour shape :of lens must becontrolled and "the lens must be provided with .a curvature; particularly along the horizontal 'axis 'thereof. While providing the adequate thickness and curvature of lens, said related thickness and "curvature 'must be controlled-so "as toavoid the introduction of intolerablefocal error.-

The following chart is given "as an illustration plane of the inner I oi the' focal power-error as introduced by difierent related thicknesses and curva'tures in lenses: I

. :.'1hickness- Qurvature QM M. pa ers curvatures from; toz'7 s'diopfters :gives the upper and lower. limits of theifocal "error which would betolerable. .In this? :group;;the r6 'dioptercurvecombined "with the 1 1m./1n. I thickness. wouldibe "desired use, this lens'wouldbe too thinto' :afford the protection desired.

' In the 1 .5 mymamcknessignouarthisane or curvatures from 3Iito '6idioptrs givessthe upper and lower limitsr of the'iocal error which would be tolerable. In this group',:the '5 dio'pter'fcurve eom'bined with the 1.5 m/mzthickness would be the" preferable combination but'fagain, for applicantsdesired use;-this lens Would; be toothin to a'fl'or'dthe protection desired? 1 h the 2.0 m./m. thickness -g'roup, the range of curvatures from 2 to' 4 diopters gives theupper and-lower limits of the focal error whichwould be tolerable. -"In thisgroup; the 'diopter" curve combined with the 2.9' mymy t kne'ss wouldbe the'preferable combination'and i's"the 'one actually' used'by applicant as-this'curve provides adequate -field'of vision While the 'th-icknessf-afiords the proper protectionW-ith the focal-error being well within the range oftolerance of the eyes.

The above chart further gives the 3ZO' 'm-Jm.

thickness and'associ'atedcurvatures and the focal error resulting from the use of said various curvatures with said thickness: Inthis fiEQnn/m.

'grouR thefZ and 3 diopte'r'curves would be'usecombin'ed with the- 2 .0 m./'m.v thickness. Here againQjthe resultant lenswould 'befflatter and would not give adequate peripherallvision, From the above; it will be seen, thereiore, that for different givenuses the lenses 'couldvlbe formed within a thickness. range of from'lfl to'13:Oin./In. and that several lenseswithin 'eachgroup: and having the different" given curvatures referred. to above would. be practical for difieren't selected uses, but; for the particular present use, applicant prefers the 2.0 'nr/m. thickness combined vvith the 4 diopter curve for better gall-around functionandperforma'nce. v M j Itis particularly pointed out thatthef'lenses are of cylindrical type and that the central {pivot 'meansmaintains the 'axesof the lenses in alignment with each other at different adjusted positions oftheeye cups. v

The respective eye cupsare so controlled as to shape as to fit abo'ut' the contours of the eyeswith theupper surfaces of the wall portions'lyi'ngi'sub- ,"stantially in'flush relationw'i'th each other and,

in effect; produce a continuou's'upper wall with the lower wall-portions curving upwardly to the integrally related'lip portions n and 8 to provide a nasal 'rec'ess illustra'tedat 41*in'Fig. 4for clearance with the nose. The lenses'are ofsubv lstantially thesamecontour-shape as-thegrooved lens supporting edge portion [3 and are' adapted I to fit snugly within said grooved portionwhen-in position of use. i 1 I To facilitate the pivotal movement ofthe cup "portions .I.0 relativetoeach other about the pivot .pin .21, :as shown best in-Figs. 4 and: 7,;par-ti'cuilarly Fig. 7, the: respective lensesxare each provided' with a vertically .disposed 'arcuate groove" and 43- adapted to it relatively intimately with 1 the adjacent: side surfaces of the pin :2! and'the :said-lenses'are spacedrelative rto each other as illustrated-"atl' l to permit the full range of pivotal .movement of said eye cups with respect to each other,'= therange. of pivotal movement-being of 7 c an amount'suflicient' to compensate for the full width of adjustment required and the innermost adjustment required. The temporal walls of the cup members are provided with a slot through which the headband or the like 45 is extended. Theends of the headband are enlarged to-securethe said headband'in position relative to the eye cup.

a The relatively intimate of the-innergrooved nasal edges 42 and 143 with the pivot pin 2! aids infpreventing'the entrance of dust; dirt, etc; inwardly :f the eye cup regardless of the angled relation of the cup members with respect-to each other. The. upper and lower walls of theeye cups areprovidedwith a plurality of vent openings 41 to afford ventilation in afldirection transversely of the lenses vertically ofthe goggle while the space between the inner face contacting edge of the eye cupsand'thelenses in the vicinity of the nose allowsthe ready passage of air transverselyof the nose :between the eye cups. Y i v r The nose rest'orbearing member is so shaped astohave a relatively widearea of contact with the nose and affords protection should the device be subjected to sudden'impact, particularly in a downward direction, with the outwardly curled lip further aiding in preventing injury to the face as well as afiording a comfortable fit of the device with the faces-of difierent individuals.

The distance between the face contacting edge H and the lensesis such as to enable theme of a corrective mounting by the wearer thereby producing a fit-over type goggle as well as a single aperture type goggle. The side walls 39, through the adjustment of the eye cups about the pivot pin 21, are positioned in overlying relation with the temples of the corrective mounting. V

The enlarged end 31 prevents the full removal of the nut 32 so that the said nut cannot become displaced and accidentally lost.

When it is desired to interchange the lenses M which .inay be formed ofglass or transparent plastic material as desired, all that is necessary is togloosen the nut 32 an amount suflicient, to

permit the upper walls of the eye cups to be spread relative to the lower walls. whereby the lenses may berquickly and easily removed from or placed within the lens retaining groove in the portion l3; The lens retaining groove extends fromladjacent the upper nasal sides of the eye cups, throughout the temporal sides and backto the lower nasal sides of the eye cups.

I Informing the goggle, the eye cup portions may .be injectionmolded to the shape-desired or may be shaped from sheet material under the action of heat and compression between suitable forming dies. In instances when the lenses, I dare formed of plastic material they may be initially formed from relatively flat sheet stock bent to the controlled curvature required and ,of the controlled ,thicknesstrequired in order to control the focal errors-and will be held-to the curved shape desired by the shape of theforwardly grooved portion l3 which is curved in the direction of the contour of the face.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that simple, efiicient and economical means and method have been provided for accomplishingall of the objects and advantages of the invention.

'5 Having described my invention, I claim':

tion thereof, said eyecups each being divided in their nasal regions to have upper and lower. end

8 portions 1 in spacedrrelation; the upper: and; lower end portions of loneeyecup being connected. .with

' the respective upper and lower end portions of the'other eyecupfor pivotal movement of the eyecups 'about an axis substantiallyadjacent the plane in-which said shieldsare mounted, the nasally disposed periph'era'l edge of said shields being grooved, and a spa'cenpo'rtion' of cylindric'al shape' dispd'sed intermediate the "spaced e'ndsof the eyecups 'and seated in said grooved edges of the shields to obtain a substantially intimate seal between the nasal edges of the shields during pivotal movement of the'eyecups." v

2. An' e'ye protectiondevice of the character described comprisinga pair of eyecups each having a rearwardly' disposed'face engaging portion and a transparent shield mounted in the forward portion thereof, said eyecups being divided in their nasal regions to have upper and lower end portions in spaced relation, the upper and lower end portions of one eyecup being connected with the respective'upper and lower end portions of the other eyecup for pivotal movement of the eyecup about an axis "lying substantially in the plane of the rear surface of said shields, the shields each having their nasally disposed peripheral edges meeting adjacent said axis, and with 'said' nasally disposed edges being grooved along their length to an arcuate shape in section, and a spacer portion of cylindricalshape disposed intermediate the spaced ends of the eyecups and seated in said grooved edges of the shields to obtain a'substantially intimate seal between said nasal edges of the shields during pivotal movement of the eyecups.

'3. An eye protection device of the character described comprising a pair of eyecups each having a transparent shield mounted in the forward portion thereof, said eyecups being divided'in the r nasal regions to have upper andlower end portions in spaced relation with the upper and lower end portions of one eyecup being disposed in overlapping relation with the respective upper and lower end portions of the other eyecup, said end portions having aligned openings therein, and a cylindrically shaped pivot member disposed intermediate. said spaced end portions and having its end portions extended through said openings and terminating in cap-like restricting portions, said aligned openings being disposed to have the pivot member lie substantially in the plane in which the shields are mounted, the adjacent edges of the shields being grooved to obtain a substantially intimate encircling seat with the pivot me ber, and a control member carried by one end of said pivot member intermediate the cap-like portion thereof and the adjacent end portion of an eyecup, said control member being mounted thereon for adjustment toward and away from said end portion so as to permit a varying of'the separation between said spaced .end portions of the eyecups.

' 4. An eye protection device of the character described comprising a pair of eyecups each having a transparent shield mounted invthe forward portion thereof, said eyecups being divided in their nasal regions to have upper and lower ends in spaced relation, said upper and lower ends of each eyecup having a hinge portion disposed in overlapping relation with the hinge portion of the respective adjacent end of the other eyecup, a spacer portion of cylindrical shape disposed intermediate the spacedpairs of overlapping hinge portions, and means adjacent the opposed ends oi. said spacer portions connecting said overlapping hinge portions for pivotal movement of the eyecups about an axis located adjacent the plane in which the shields are mounted, the 'nasally disposed peripheral edge of said shields being shaped to substantially fit with the adjacent surface of the spacer portion during pivotal movement of the eyecups, and nose engageable means adjacent the lower'pair of pivotally connected hinge portions.

' EDWARD M. SPLAINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following reference'sare of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Stevens July 6, 1915 King Dec. 7, 1926 Queen July 1, 1930 Aspenleiter Sept. 6, 1938 Greiner July 8, 1941 vMcNeill Feb. 3, 1942 Ring Dec, 18, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 20, 1927 France Mar. 21, 1906 France Sept. 19, 1938 

